All of you are here today because you, in one way or another, have been a special part of (enter couple’s names) lives. It is overwhelming to see how many loving faces surround my friends today, to show your support and bear witness to this marriage. This marriage begins today on the foundation of a long relationship that has been built with trust, and love, and boxes of macaroni and cheese. What began four years ago with a friendship, and a simple meal over homework, will begin a new chapter today, with all of you, (enter couple’s names) loved ones, family, and friends, and another simple meal. (enter couple’s names), your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts. Marriage will allow you a new environment to share your lives together, to break bread as husband and wife, standing together to face life and the world, hand-in-hand. Marriage is going to expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another. In your lives together, I know you will continue to overcome life’s obstacles with good food and honest friendship. So, let your marriage be a time forever, of waking each morning and falling in love all over again.

David: I now invite (enter reader’s name) to read a passage from Blue Like Jazz

Introduction to Exchange of Vows:

(enter couple’s names), you have known each other for years, through the first glance of acquaintance to this moment of commitment. At some moment, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way.

All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

Just two people working out what they want, what they believe, what they hope for each other.

All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from
one another in these last few years. You have learned that good company and friendship count for more than wealth, good looks or position. And you’ve learned that marriage is a maze into which we wander – a maze that is best got through with a great companion.
Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you.

For after these vows, you shall say to the world, (enter name) is my husband, (enter name) is my wife.

The Expression of Intent:
Do you (enter name), take (enter name), to be your lawfully wedded wife, knowing in your heart that you will protect her, and give her your deepest considerations of her feelings, desires and needs? Do you love (enter name) willingly and completely, withholding nothing, and promise to always be with her, to dance with her, and care for her, to make her laugh, and let her cry? Do you vow to support her, in times of sickness, and of health, in times of joy, and in times of sorrow, for as long as you both shall live?

“I do”

Do you (enter name), take (enter name), to be your lawfully wedded husband, knowing in your heart that you will provide warmth and understanding as a loyal friend, and a loving companion? Do you love (enter name) willingly and completely, withholding nothing, and
promise to always be with him, to dance with him, and care for him, to laugh at his jokes, and cry on his shoulder? Do you vow to support him, in times of sickness, and of health, in times of joy, and in times of sorrow, for as long as you both shall live?

“I do”

Do you mutually promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the
years?

Throughout this ceremony, (enter names) have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the existence of the bond between them with words spoken and
with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, I am happy to say, that by the power vested in me by the internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife!